Fast growing national Financial Planning firm Wren Sterling has acquired the Financial Planning division of the Kent-based insurance broker and financial adviser the Howe Maxted Group.

The cost of the deal has not been disclosed.

Sidcup-based Howe Maxted Financial Services advises 500 families with about £200m of assets under advice.

Wren says it expects the 10 members of staff working for the Howe Maxted Financial Planning arm to join Wren Sterling, including four advisers

The planning division’s office in Kent will join Wren Sterling's office network. Wren Sterling has £7bn in assets under advice and 14 offices across the UK.

Howe Maxted is an insurance brokerage and financial adviser with a 100 year history.

Wren Sterling has expanded rapidly in recent years. In March it completed its first acquisition of 2024 with a deal to buy £265m AUM Newcastle-under-Lyme firm TW Financial Planning.

Last summer Wren Sterling added £400m in AUM after taking over Guildford-based IFA Messer & Matthews in July and also acquired a majority stake in Cornwall-based The Stockdale Group. The two deals added around 1,000 clients.

In May last year Nottingham-based Wren expanded into Northern Ireland with the acquisition of Ralston Bennett Financial Planning and Aspects Financial. The firm has also expanded its presence in the North West with the acquisition of St Helens-based Callisto Wealth, which has become part of Wren Sterling’s North West hub in Wilmslow.

Other acquisitions in recent times included Active Wealth Management and HB&O Financial Services, adding 860 clients and £330m in assets.

Wren Sterling Group is backed by Lightyear Capital, a New York-based private equity business that specialises in financial services investments, following a secondary management buyout that took place in December 2021.

The Howe Maxted Group consists of Howe Maxted Financial Services and Howe Maxted General Insurance which is being acquired separately by JM Glendinning.

James Twining, Wren Sterling’s CEO, said: “I'm delighted to welcome Howe Maxted Financial Services with their distinguished heritage and enduring client relationships.

“The team comprises very impressive professionals with the right blend of experience and enthusiasm for delivering for their clients.''

"Kent is a location we have targeted for some time because of its wealth and proximity to London, which will allow our teams to work closely together and help grow our business organically."

John Austin and David Baker, directors of Howe Maxted Group, said in a statement: "With origins dating back over a century we are proud to have provided quality solutions to thousands of of clients over many generations.

“Wren Sterling offers an enhanced range of Financial Planning services, shared values, and greater opportunities to benefit our clients for many years to come. Our focus remains on delivering personalised, high value planning services to clients within the security and framework of a national organisation.’’